| Desulfovibrio | |
|---|---|
| Desulfovibrio vulgaris | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Bacteria |
| Phylum: | Proteobacteria |
| Class: | Delta Proteobacteria |
| Order: | Desulfovibrionales |
| Family: | Desulfovibrionaceae |
| Genus: | Desulfovibrio Kluyver & van Niel 1936 |
| Species | |
|
D. africanus |
|
Desulfovibrio is a genus of Gram negative sulfate-reducing bacteria. Some species of Desulfovibrio are capable of transduction. Desulfovibrio species are commonly found in aquatic environments with high levels of organic material, as well as in water-logged soils, and form major community members of extreme oligotrophic habitats such as deep granitic fractured rock aquifers.
Like other sulfate-reducing bacteria, Desulfovibrio was long considered to be obligately anaerobic. This is not strictly correct: while growth may be limited, these bacteria can survive in O2-rich environments. These types of bacteria are known as aerotolerant.
Some Desulfovibrio species have in recent years been shown to have bioremediation potential for toxic radionuclides such as uranium by a reductive bioaccumulation process.